NFL

Plaxico: Jets QB Sanchez played hurt last season

Mark Sanchez was criticized often for his play last season as the Jets went from two-time AFC finalist to being out of the playoffs.

But in a WFAN interview yesterday, former Jets receiver Plaxico Burress said part of the reason Sanchez regressed in 2012 was a shoulder injury that was not made public.

“He definitely has enough arm,” Burress said. “He was battling some injuries last year, shoulder-wise, that a lot of people didn’t know about … different things like that. But I think he really turned a corner.”

Sanchez now has to deal with a competent and competitive backup in Tim Tebow, whom the Jets acquired this offseason from the Broncos. The Jets have said the popular Tebow will serve as Sanchez’s backup, but that may not last if Sanchez plays the way he did last season.

“When they bring somebody in at your position, you don’t have no choice but to go up and either perform or go home,” Burress said. “It’s that kind of deal in the NFL. It’s a dog-eat-dog league.”

Right now, the two are working together at the Jets West camp, which Sanchez organizes in California each year.

Last season was Burress’ first and last with the Jets with the team showing no inclination to bring him back. Burress, who won a Super Bowl with the Giants, has yet to find a team for next season.

“To be honest, there’s a lot of great places out there for me,” Burress said. “A lot of places that I would love to be. Like I said, I’m going to make the correct choice for me. You know, go somewhere where I can do some of the things that I do well. And also [join] with a quarterback who can get you the football, and understands the game and all those kinds of things.”

* Sanchez quietly opened his Jets West passing camp with Tebow, Santonio Holmes and several other offensive skill players yesterday in Southern California, a league source confirmed.

Sanchez had vowed to keep this year’s voluntary workouts under wraps and shut off from the media in hopes of improving the team’s camaraderie after infighting helped doom the Jets to an 8-8 finish last season.

With Bart Hubbuch